God’s World News (a Schoolhouse Crew Review)

Ben has been interested in news media since he was a little guy. He loves magazines, newspapers and FOX News. His interests vary from world politics to modern day science. Unfortunately, these news services don’t generally share the same biblical worldview as our family, and I have to be very judicious what I allow him to read, hear, and view. For years, I have longed for a safe place for Ben to learn about current events in a setting that is not so counter to what we believe.

NEWS — KNOWLEDGE — WISDOM

Recently, we were afforded the opportunity to receive a one-year subscription to God’s World News, a news magazine with the goal of helping kids “grow in their faith and their understanding of the world around them.”

Using today’s real-life events breathes life and relevance into subjects such as science, social studies, geography, religion, and more. God’s World News is like a dynamic supplement to your curriculum, combining the latest new information with a thoughtful biblical perspective, engaging enrichment exercises, and an entertaining world tour.

God’s World News is available in six grade-level appropriate editions. For the purpose of this review, we receivedTop Story, appropriate for middle school level kids.

Ben and I were already familiar with God’s World News, having briefly subscribed to the News Current edition a couple of years ago. Our subscription to News Current was a part of a group subscription with our former co-op. Not being a part of that co-op any longer meant we lost our ability to subscribe at the reduced rate, and I will admit we did not always take advantage of this resource at that time. Now two years older, and much more interested in the world around him, Ben was anxious to check out Top Story.

At first glance, I was immediately impressed with the fullness of Top Story. All 32 pages are filled with relevant content and beautiful photos {see a sample issue}. Because of it’s strong emphasis on world geography, we were also sent a world map (included with every September issue) on which Ben can chart each nation he is exposed to during his reading. Many times articles within the magazine share an inset image of the country on which the article focuses.

Actually “reading” is a bit of a misnomer. A better word might be devouring, ingesting, or digging deep into learning. The delight-directed, unit study nature of our homeschool relished in digging deeper into a subject of interest. You might call it “homeschooling by the rabbit trail method.” It basically means that one idea leads to another. That’s what God’s World News does for Ben — leads him from one learning adventure to another — generally from modern day news right back to the Bible. I’ll give you an example.

In the October issue, there is a story titled, “People on the Move.” In this article, the idea that people have to change locations due to sin is discussed in reference to Australia’s boat people, the Hazara people of Pakistan, and those fleeing war-torn Afghanistan and Iran. While discussing these current events, the article leads right back to many instances in the Bible where people had to flee due to their sin or the sin of others — Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel, Joseph and the enslaved Israelites. Through all of this tragedy we see God’s hand and remember that He is still in control. What man means for evil, God is able to redeem for His purposes. Just imagine if Joseph’s brothers had not sold him to the Ishmaelites? How many people in the world often wonder why we have such things as war and famine in the world if our God is good and loving. Right here, in terms simple enough for a 12-year-old, we find the answer in God’s World News. This is good stuff, friends.

Other features of the magazine include quizzes, biographies, political cartoons, foto files, and many more current even articles in the areas of history, geography, arts, economics and even sports (Hank Aaron anyone?).

The subscription to God’s World News also includes an online feature that makes it easier to keep up with current news, while waiting for the next monthly publication. It also contains the magazine’s quiz answers, many more articles, including one new current event article each day, as well as a large library of biographies, PDF files of extended lessons, and 4 years worth of back issues of the magazine.

Two new websites — God’s World News Kids and God’s World News Teen bring fascinating content, great images and fun activities for students to use online, on a tablet, or even on a smartphone. Content is geared to different grade levels and includes stories that may appear in the print magazines as well as web-only content. Magazine subscribers have access to their respective grade levels online.

Ben loves having his own “newspaper” to read about the events he often hears us discussing, on his level. I love that everything in God’s World News points him back to Christ. Actually, I love that it points me back to Christ, too. It’s easy to get mired down in the stress of world events. We can all use a reminder that God is in control and what man means for evil He will redeem for His purposes.

You can purchase a subscription to God’s World News for $28/year (10 issues one per month except May and December). Discounts are available for group purchases, including purchasing different levels for your own family. I cannot imagine you would regret subscribing to this publication.

All levels of God’s World News were reviewed by members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. Click here to read those reviews.

Welcome

Disclosure

Ben and Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This site contains links from a number of other affiliate programs as well. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This does not cost you any more, and it helps cover costs associated with running the website. I am very picky about the products I recommend and the companies I support. I never recommend a product I would not use myself.